Guillen: Opening in Cleveland 'stupid'

But skipper says lousy weather cannot be an excuse

CLEVELAND — The idea to open the 2011 season in snowy Cleveland was "very stupid," according to White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen.

But in their quest to seize the American League Central title, the Sox will encounter many obstacles besides the expected cold conditions Friday against the Indians.

"You play baseball, you will play in rain, snow, heat and (humidity)," Guillen said. "Don't make that as an excuse."

Mark Buehrle and his teammates built a snowman near the Sox's dugout on the eve of his ninth Opening Day start, reminding Buehrle of April 2007, when the Indians moved a series against the Angels to Miller Park in Milwaukee because Progressive Field was unplayable after three days of snow.

"We'll just have to deal with it, and hopefully they can clean off (the snow) and be ready to go," said Buehrle, who is 3-1 with a 3.37 ERA in eight Opening Day starts.

Skipping the fifth: The latest plan is for Buehrle to start Wednesday in Kansas City, as the Sox will skip the turn of the fifth starter and relegate Phil Humber to the bullpen.

"They kind of asked if I minded," Buehrle said. "I said, 'Look, you guys are the coaches.' Yeah, it would be nice to start Opening Day (April 7) at home. I'll take the ball every five days, and if we have off days to skip Humber, then I'll do it."

Humber likely will make his start April 9. The Sox also will need a starter on April 19 — the earliest date Jake Peavy would be ready. Peavy is scheduled to make minor league rehabilitation starts April 8 and 13, but he said he would like to throw 100 pitches in consecutive starts and rebound without any discomfort before being activated.

Settling on 11: Guillen told his players in a team meeting that choosing 11 pitchers was the hardest move he has had to make in his eight spring trainings.

The decision was based largely on the performances of utility player BrentLillibridge and outfielder LastingsMilledge that resulted in outrighting pitcher Jeff Marquez to Triple-A Charlotte.

"Sometimes you are going to hurt people's feelings," Guillen said. "Sometimes you don't make the move people expect. In the meanwhile, we can pinch-run and pinch-hit for anybody, in any place."

Battling buddies: Milledge appreciated the competition from Lillibridge that helped both make the Opening Day roster.

"I hit a homer, and then he (Lillibridge) would hit a homer," said Milledge, who hit four home runs. "He made a diving catch, I threw a guy out. We made each other better. It was definitely good for me, (especially) the first time not being on the 40-man roster."

Extra innings: Shortstop AlexeiRamirez (back) said he would be ready Friday. … Gavin Floyd threw five innings and 75 pitches Wednesday against the Reds' Double-A team in Arizona.